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The Benefits of Getting Exercise on Your Treadmill

Do you feel guilty because the stair climber scares you or because you’d rather gnaw off your own arms than spend another minute on a rowing machine? Do your friends tease you because you just take your time and walk on a treadmill?

What is a Treadmill?

A treadmill, as most people know, is a device that allows you to walk, jog, or run in place. Many people read a book while they walk, or place their treadmill in front of the television set and catch up on the news or their favorite soaps. Exercise on a treadmill almost feels like a guilty pleasure. How could something so easy actually be good for you?

But studies show that exercise on a treadmill may be one of the most effective workouts that are available on the market today. Researchers studied how many calories the average person burned while working out on several different common fitness machines, such as the rowing machine and the stationary bicycle, and it was those people who did their exercise on a treadmill that burned the most calories – 200 more calories per hour than people who used a stationary bike.

The findings actually weren’t that much of a surprise, as fitness experts have been saying for years that walking is one of the best forms of exercise. Almost anyone can do it, too, from the most extreme twenty-something fitness junky to the sixty years plus homemaker. Even people who have health conditions that contradict other forms of exercise can usually walk at least for a few minutes a day.

Exercise on a treadmill is often more convenient and more safe than taking a stroll outside, as well. You can walk on the treadmill in any type of weather, and you don’t have to worry about walking at night or in a bad neighborhood. If you have trouble with your joints, you can even purchase a treadmill with a thick deck to cushion them, so that there are no more worries about walking on hard or uneven surfaces.

Exercise on a Treadmill: When Boredom Sets In

If people have any complaint about exercise on a treadmill, it’s usually that they find it boring. This doesn’t have to be the case, however. You can customize your workout with special challenges. Some people lift dumbbells while they’re walking to strengthen both the upper and lower body, while others challenge themselves by increasing the speed or incline for a few minutes.

Contrary to what some people think, exercise on a treadmill is excellent for your health. Whether you choose to walk or run, stare at the television or focus on power sprints, it can help you burn calories and fat, maintain flexibility, and strengthen your entire body.